Rethymnon Crete satellite map and resort report

Greek island holidays | Rethymnon Crete

Rethymnon or Rethymno is a firm favourite with tour operators and it is not difficult to see why. Midway along the north coast between the two bigger centres of Iraklion and Chania it is also positioned at one of the island's narrowest points north/south. It has its own attractions and makes an ideal base from which to explore with south coast beaches are a relatively short drive away.
Rich in tradition and with an extensive town beach there will be those content to stay and richly rewarded they are, provided they stick to the centre. East and west approaches are a dismal string of hotels and apartments and the south is a twisting uphill battle to the main highway.
This is not a quiet seaside town either. Traffic is heavy and noisy away from the harbour though you will probably find a parking space on a large scrap of wasteland opposite the municipal gardens (except Thursday which is market day.
One of the best features of Rethymnon is eating out. The centre is bursting with tavernas and cafes offering good food at decent prices, apart from the harbour area where demand for the romantic waterside setting is well reflected in bill. It is the city as a whole, rather than individual attractions that make it such a pleasant place and tourist demands, while well catered for, have not left the scars that can be found elsewhere on the island.